Coastal Protection and
Restoration Authority

JEAN LAFITTE, LA – The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) today announced the start of Phase 1 construction on the Rosethorne Tidal Protection project. The $34 million project is the second of 10 high-priority flood risk reduction projects planned for the greater Lafitte area of Jefferson Parish.

The Rosethorne project’s first phase will include the construction of 10,300 linear feet of concrete-capped floodwall and floodgates at a 7.5-foot elevation. Upon completion, the Rosethorne project will provide additional protection from a 10-year rainfall or tidal event flood for the community of Rosethorne.

“Building on progress made by the Fisher School Basin project, the Rosethorne project is the next step in increasing Lafitte’s protection from tidal surge flooding and extreme weather,” said CPRA Chairman Chip Kline. “In total, more than $300 million will be spent to construct 29 miles of levees, floodwalls, and gated structures in the region. This level of investment is a game changer for the community of Lafitte.”

The Rosethorne project was preceded by the Fisher School Basin Project, which was completed in 2018 and added 3 miles of sheet pile and concrete cap floodwall to provide flood risk reduction to 450 acres of Lafitte, including more than 300 residential and commercial structures.

The project is a partnership between CPRA, the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District and the Louisiana Department of Transportation. Surplus funds from CPRA and DOTD, as well as Gulf of Mexico Security Act (GOMESA) and state Capital Outlay funds, will be used to finance Phase 1 of the Rosethorne project.

Local leaders joined in celebrating the start of construction on the tidal protection system.

“The Rosethorne Basin Levee System being underway is another huge win for our community,” said Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner, Jr. “We will be coming out of Hurricane Ida stronger and more resilient than ever before. Our goal is to have multiple major levee projects underway at once in 2022.”

“Jefferson Parish is excited about this Rosethorne Tidal Protection project, which will be located right in the heart of the Town of Jean Lafitte and will provide much needed flood protection for our residents,” said Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng. “We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with DOTD and CPRA as we all work together so that our coastal communities can fully recover from Hurricane Ida, with the hope that projects like this will lower flood risk and help us continue to rebuild for the future.”

In addition to the Fisher School and Rosethorne Basins, future basins to be improved include Goose Bayou, Lower Lafitte, Pailet Basin, Crown Point Basin, Lower Barataria Basin, Upper LA 45, Lower LA 45, and Jones Point Basin.

“I want to thank Gov. Edwards, CPRA, the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District Commissioners, and the Louisiana Department of Transportation for their leadership on this important effort,” said State Sen. Patrick Connick. “I’m ecstatic to see these strides being made to protect the greater Lafitte area and the entire West Bank of Jefferson Parish.”

“With the devastation from last year from Hurricane Ida, it is exciting to see construction underway for the Rosethorne Basin Levee System,” said State Rep. Tim Kerner. “More construction will be coming in the near future with the Goose Bayou Basin, Lower Lafitte Basin, Crown Point Basin, and Pailet Basin.”

Circle Construction Company, headquartered in Belle Chasse, La., is the construction contractor for the project.